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| Dolichopus brevimanus @iNaturalist user bugeyedbernie |
Uncommon insect species
by Bernie Paquette (bugeyedbernie on iNaturalist)
Uncommon: out of the ordinary, unusual, or remarkably great. In 2012, the Polystoechotes punctata or giant lacewing was the first recorded in eastern North America in over 50 years — and the first record of the species ever in Arkansas (at a Walmart). Vermont also has had a share of uncommon discoveries. Thankfully, there is no need to travel to Arkansas or Walmart to discover and observe an uncommon insect taxa.
One can appreciate the perseverance of Bryan Pfeiffer, who after searching for two decades discovered (first for Vermont) a rare and elusive butterfly, the Bog elfin, in 2023.
Most of us will never see a Bog elfin, and many will never see a bog. However, uncommon finds can be had closer to home, even in our own yards.
As my list below demonstrates, the next uncommon insect discovery may be awaiting in your town or your backyard.
"You need to go nowhere to see wonders."
Jack Gedney, The Private Lives of Public Birds.
Below are a few uncommon* discoveries, most are from our Jericho, VT backyard, and a few from nearby towns, that I posted on iNaturalist in 2024, followed by a list for pre 2024.
*Here I am defining uncommon as 5 or fewer posts on iNaturalist in Vermont at the time of my observation. There may be more on GBIF.
SOME ARE A FIRST FOR VERMONT.
This is a partial view of the wonder of millennia of evolution and the later effect of a most recent changing habitat.
One town, One yard, One Acre of habitat containing a multitude of life. To closely observe the many offers an opportunity to stumble upon the uncommon, rare, or even the unknown.
Insect names are hyperlinked to the iNaturalist post. I appreciate any additional help with IDs on those not yet at Research Grade.
*R.G. indicates Research Grade on iNaturalist.
| Uncommon Insects observed by Bernie before 2024 (Mostly in our Jericho yard) |
* | Anasimyia bilinearis Two-lined Swamp Fly (RG) 5/5/2022. |
| Abia fasciata Blotch-winged Honeysuckle Sawfly (1 ID RG) 6/27/2022 |
| Acrossus rubripennis (1 ID) 8/7/2022 |
* | Agenioideus cinctellus (1 ID) 7/29/2022 |
| Amoebaleria helvola (3 IDs RG) 7/29/2022. |
* | Anacampsis nonstrigella (2 IDs RG) 9/7/2022 |
* | Anasa repetita (2 IDs R.G.) 7/1/2021. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
| Aritranis director (Needs ID) 8/20/2023 |
* | Chelostoma philadelphi Mock-orange Scissor Bee (4 IDs RG) I posted the first for iNat on 6/15/2021 and have observed many since then. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
| Chrysis cessata (2 IDs RG) 8/22/2023 |
* | Crematogaster cerasi Cherry Acrobat Ant (2 IDs RG) 5/4/2023 |
* | Cryptomyzus ribis (1 ID) 6/21/2022 |
| Cylindromyia interrupta (1 ID) 7/18/2021 |
| Dialysis elongata (2 iDs R.G.) 7/26/2022 |
* | Dichrorampha simulana (2 iDs R.G.) 7/28/2020. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
* | Dolichopus laticornis (2 IDs) 5/16/2022 |
* | Drosophila immigrans Immigrant Fruit Fly (2 IDs RG) 9/1/2023. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
* | Ectopimorpha wilsoni (2 IDs R.G.) 5/31/2022. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
| Enchrysa dissectella (2 iDs R.G.) 6/16/2021 |
| Fieberiella florii (needs ID) 7/10/2021 |
| Gonia sagax (2 IDs R.G.) 4/8/2021. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
| Hoplistoscelis pallescens (1 ID) 6/4/2022 |
| Hymetta balteata (needs ID) 10/25/2023 |
| Isodontia philadelphica (needs ID) 8/12/2023 |
* | Linycus exhortator ssp. thoracicus (2 IDs R.G.) 9/27/2022. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
| Melanoplus differentialis Differential Grasshopper (2 IDs RG) 10/11/2022) |
* | Menesta tortriciformella (3 IDs RG) 6/20/2022. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
| Messatoporus rufiventris (2 IDs R.G.) 9/15/2023 |
* | Muesebeckidium (Genus) (2 IDs RG) 7/1/2023 |
* | Nomada denticulata Denticulate Nomad (1 ID) 5/27/2023 |
| Onthophagus hecate Scooped Scarab (2 IDs RG) 5/9/2022 |
* | Parancistrocerus pedestris (2 IDs R.G.) 8/5/2020. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
| Parancistrocerus pensylvanicus Pennsylvania Mason Wasp (3 IDs) 8/21/2021 |
| Perillus exaptus (2 IDs) 6/4/2022 |
| Phymata fasciata (Needs ID) 10/6/2021 |
| Physoconops obscuripennis (2 iDs RG) 6/28/2022) |
* | Pleolophus indistinctus (2 IDs RG) 6/25/2023. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
* | Plutella porrectella (2 IDs RG) R.G. |
* | Pristerognatha agilana (1 ID) 6/23/2023 |
| Scaphytopius acutus (needs ID) 10/25/2023 |
* | Schroederella iners (1 ID) 10/25/2023 or Schroederella luteoala? |
* | Sphyracephala brevicornis (3 IDs RG) 4/15/2022. There doesn't appear to be any digital records for this species in GBIF either, so for now, first state record. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer |
| Spilopteron formosum (1 ID) 6/19/2021 |
| Symmorphus cristatus (1 ID) 9/15/2023 |
| Tenthredo verticalis (1 ID) 7/21/2022 |
* | Tomoxia inclusa (2 IDs RG) 7/5/2023. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer? |
| Xanthogramma flavipes American Harlequin (2 IDs RG) 7/26/2022 |
| Xylophagus reflectens (2 IDs RG) 5/13/2023 |
"The greatest human discoveries in the future will be the discovery of human intimacy with all those other modes of being that live with us on this planet, inspire our art and literature, reveal that numinous world whence all things come into being, and with which we exchange the very substance of life." - The Great Work - our way into the future, Thomas Berry
If you want to feel new, alive, full of fresh hope, and in love with the world, I think the place to visit may be your backyard. - paraphrased from The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer.
If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with.
-Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz
FOOTNOTE on Behavior:
Zadotomerus (Subgenus) (1 ID) 5/7/2024 Extremely abundant. Showcasing the behavior: I observed them copulating from 12:30:15 to 1:08: 07. Eight seconds shy of 38 minutes. They flew off together.
The links below are short videos on how to upload observations to iNaturalist. The first two tutorials are from North Branch Nature Center. 
